A large-scale redevelopment in one of Cambridge’s most popular areas for visitors, Station Road, is to see the arrival of a new 77,000 square foot headquarters building for Microsoft Research.

Construction of the new Microsoft building in Cambridge, UK is the first part of a huge overhaul of the surrounding area, which will see the arrival of a number of new shops, student accommodations, and residential areas over the next few years.

The main Microsoft Research headquarters could well be finished and fully occupied by the end of 2012, with development able to start as of today. Currently Microsoft has a research center based in the Roger Needham Building on Thomson Avenue in Cambridge, just off Madingley Road.

Sven Topel, the chief executive of Brookgate, the company who is set to oversee the development of the new area said, “This is a major step forward for the commercial development within CB1 and the arrival of Microsoft Research is a great testament to the project.”

Microsoft has had ties to Cambridge for many years, not just in areas of research, but also in some development. The move to Station road in Cambridge has been on the cards for some time, but the go-ahead for work to begin was only given yesterday.